Tiken Jah Fakoly (1968) is a reggae singer from Odienné, Côte d’Ivoire (a.k… Read Full Bio ↴Tiken Jah Fakoly (1968) is a reggae singer from Odienné, Côte d’Ivoire (a.k.a Ivory Coast).

Tiken Jah was born into a family of griots and christened Doumbia Moussa Fakoly on June 23, 1968 in Odienne, north-western Côte d'Ivoire. He discovered reggae at an early age, assembling his first group, Djelys, in 1987. He became well-known at a regional level, but would soon ascend to national recognition.

Concerned by the social and political evolution of his country, it was not long before Tiken Jah was writing incisive works on the political environment in Côte d'Ivoire. One such work was on the death of Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993, which resulted in a surge of popularity amongst the nation's youth. In 1998, Fakoly made his first international appearance in Paris.

Tiken Jah Fakoly plays music "to wake up the consciences". His music speaks about many injustices done to the people of his country, and those over Africa. As such, African listeners feel a deep affinity with his lyrics as Fakoly speaks for people whom are under oppression. This connection has helped make Tiken Jah Fakoly a much-listened artist throughout both Europe and Africa.

Discography

1. 1993: Les Djelys (cassette only - discontinued)
2. 1994: Missiri (cassette only - discontinued)
3. 1996: Mangercratie
4. 1999: Cours d'histoire
5. 2000: Le Cameleon (exclusive to West Africa)
6. 2002: Françafrique (a term coined by Francois Xavier-Verschave)
7. 2004: Coup de gueule
8. 2005: Africa wants to be free, compilation to support fr:Survie (association)

NOTE: Mangercratie was released in France in 1999 and in Canada in 2000. Cours d'histoire was released in France in 2000 and in Canada in 2001. The first two albums were only released in Côte d'Ivoire.

Outside Projects

Tiken Jah Fakoly has recorded various tracks with other artists. He is featured on Steel Pulse: African Holocaust, on Rike: Airt Frais, on Bernard Laviliers: Carnet De Bord, on Amadou & Marima: Dimanche A Bamaco, on Dub Incorporation: Life, and on Tata Pound: Cikan. He also appears on the compilation African Consiences with Mebgane N'Dour. He will be featured in the upcoming movie Les Oiseaux Du Ciel, directed by Eliane De Latour.

Awards:

2003: Victoires de la Musique 2003, in the category of Reggae Album/Ragga/World with the album Françafrique.

Àfrica
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

africa africa
africa wants to be free
mama africa
africa wants to be free

i know their system
is a plot against my people
but if jah is for us

nobody can be against us
if jah is for my people
i don't know who can try
who can try to be my ennemi
my africa wants to be free

refrain

as i know your system
is a plot against my people
but if jah is for us
nobody can be against us
if jah is for my people
i don't know who can try
who can try to be my ennemi
my africa wants to be free

refrain

africa wants to be free
like a lion in the jungle
africa wants to be free
like a bird in the sky
if you don't know if you don't
you've got to know oh oh
mama africa is no free
oh oh free!!
oh oh free!!
mama africa wants to be free

refrain

when i'm talking about freedom
i'm talking about economical freedom
when i'm talking about freedom
i'm talking about political fredom
if you don't know if you don't
you've got to know oh oh
mama africa is no free
oh oh free!!
oh oh free!!
mama africa wants to be free

refrain ..

Overall Meaning

Tiken Jah Fakoly's song "Africa" speaks of the desire for freedom and the struggle against the system that has oppressed African people. The song's lyrics emphasize the importance of Jah (God) being on their side in the fight for freedom. Tiken Jah Fakoly sees the system as being a plot against African people, but he is optimistic that with God's help, they can overcome the oppression. The song has a repetitive refrain where Tiken Jah Fakoly states that Africa wants to be free like a lion in the jungle or a bird in the sky.

The song's lyrics touch on the two types of freedom that Africa needs, economic and political. Tiken Jah Fakoly believes that true freedom cannot be obtained if a people are oppressed economically or politically. Furthermore, he feels strongly about the need for Africa to be united in its fight for freedom. His emphasis on the continent as a collective entity, with a shared heritage and culture, is a nod to Pan-Africanism.

One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1996, but its message is still relevant today. Africa's struggle for economic and political freedom continues, and many of the issues that Tiken Jah Fakoly spoke about in the song are still present today. The song is also a reflection of Tiken Jah Fakoly's own life, as he was forced to flee his home country of Ivory Coast due to political unrest.

Line by Line Meaning

africa africa
Africa, my homeland

africa wants to be free
Africa desires to achieve freedom from oppression and subjugation

mama africa
A term of endearment for Africa, a maternal figure that needs love and protection

i know their system
I am aware of the oppressive and exploitative systems in place that are targeting my people

is a plot against my people
Said systems are designed to harm and disadvantage African people

but if jah is for us
But if the divine intervenes in our favor

nobody can be against us
No one can oppose us

if jah is for my people
If divine intervention favors my people

i don't know who can try
I do not know who would dare to challenge or obstruct our progress

who can try to be my ennemi
Who could possibly become our enemy

like a lion in the jungle
Fierce and powerful like a lion in its habitat